Thomasclaire.net Launched Today

ThomasClaire.net launched today, offering customers the “paint-your-own pottery” experience in their own home.

The paint-your-own pottery concept has been around for many years; ThomasClaire takes this creative idea and makes it easier and convenient.

ThomasClaire is the idea of Kristin Marshall, mother of two, who loved painting with friends in her single, professional life and eventually took up the activity with her first child, Thomas. While she liked the end result, she found the process of taking him to the studio a bit cumbersome. “Between driving my son to the studio, keeping him focused on the project, driving back home, then finding the time to go back to the studio to pick up the finished pieces …the process was impractical with my busy lifestyle,” Marshall said. “I knew there had to be an easier way.”

Marshall married the creativity of a pottery studio with the convenience of painting pottery at home. The process is simple. Customers visit ThomasClaire.net to select their pottery kits, which are shipped to their home with everything they need: instructions, pottery, paints, and brushes. After completing the painting, customers ship it to the ThomasClaire Ceramic Cottage where it is glazed and fired, packed and shipped back to the customer within two to four weeks. Ground shipping costs are included in the price of the kit —making it convenient and catering to the busy lives consumers live today.

One target market for ThomasClaire is busy women, and mothers, who want to plan a party. Whether it’s for their children, a bridal shower for a colleague or a slumber party for a group of teenagers, ThomasClaire caters to the ‘busy’ in everyone. Making it convenient and easy for women, and moms, of any age to plan a fun creative activity.

“Children’s birthday parties are much more elaborate today than when I was young,” Marshall said. “Themed birthday parties and incorporating fun activities are the norm these days. ThomasClaire pottery kits take the stress out of planning a party. Moms can order kits a few weeks in advance, set up their own studio in their home or a park and let the kids paint during the party. We even include gift bags to use to distribute the pottery to their children’s friends once it's been fired.”

“To test the concept, I spent a lot of time diving into the industry and understanding the market. Most of the women I spoke to were like me. They used to go at one point in their lives, but due to work, family or other priorities, just don’t have time or there wasn't a studio near them. From there, I developed a test kit and sent it to friends and colleagues,” Marshall said. “Everyone loved the idea and more importantly, felt that they would buy them. I also relied on a handful of former colleagues, some of whom are now moms, too.” Consumer research is a priority at the company. “We’ll continue to listen and involve our customers. They will drive our success."

"Ultimately, we hope consumers will try it again if they haven’t done it in a while. And, for those who haven't ever painted their own pottery, we think you'll really enjoy the experience," Marshall said.

ThomasClaire.net features a wide variety of bisque items to choose from, as well paint colors and photos to spark creativity. From toddlers to ‘tweens to a fun “Girls Night In”, there are choices for everyone. And for those who aren’t particularly artistic, ThomasClaire provides designs and ideas to help you create your own masterpiece. Kit prices range from $35 for mug and coaster sets, to $100 for larger party kits.

Making a difference in the community is also important to the company. ThomasClaire encourages consumers to send back their leftover paints and brushes rather than throw them away. They will reuse and recycle them when appropriate. Additionally, kits are donated to those less fortunate a chance to create their own hand-painted pottery and a fun memory.

For more information, contact:

Kitty Munger

ThomasClaire
1.614.306.7432
1.614.889.5435
kmunger@thomasclaire.net